Gubernatorial candidate Baker endorses donor who is running for Congress

Tuesday , February 13, 2018 - 10:00 PM

Josh Hicks

(c) 2018, The Washington Post.

Maryland wine magnate David Trone, members of his family and his wine company have donated $39,000 to the 2018 gubernatorial campaign of Prince George’s County executive Rushern Baker, D, according to filings with the State Board of Elections.

Trone, who is running as a Democrat in the crowded race for the state’s 6th Congressional District seat, has used his fortune to support many Democratic campaigns, including his own. In 2016, he spent $13.4 million on a failed bid to win the Democratic primary for the 8th District, which Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., ultimately won. He also contributed nearly $411,000 to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and $272,000 to the 2018 Democratic Senatorial and Congressional Campaign committees.

Among Maryland’s 2018 candidates for governor, only Baker received contributions from the Trone family and business.

Filings show that Trone and three of his family members each donated $6,000 - the maximum allowed under state law - to Baker’s campaign in October and November of 2017. Three other family members contributed a combined $9,000 to Baker’s campaign in November 2017. Contributing family members included Trone’s wife, three daughters and his sister-in law.

Retail Services and Systems, Trone’s company, made a donation of about $6,000 in January.

Trone also announced that he was backing Baker for governor in December. Baker pledged his support to Trone on Monday.

Alex Koren, Trone’s campaign spokesman, said there was no connection between the timing of Trone’s donation and Baker’s endorsement.

He added that the relationship between Baker and Trone dates back several years and is based in large part on their shared experience helping loved ones deal with Alzheimer’s disease. Baker’s wife has the condition, as did Trone’s father.

Baker campaign spokeswoman Madeleine Russak said Baker’s endorsement of Trone is based on the county executive’s “personal commitment to support a candidate who shares his passion for finding a cure for Alzheimer’s.”